Variety of Japanese Black Pine named Kanemi

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Pinus thumbergiana  named ‘Kanemi’, being distinctively different, smaller in size and with shorter needles, than known  Pinus thumbergiana  cultivars.

Classification: The present invention relates to a new Pinusthumbergiana plant.

Variety denomination: The new plant has the varietal denomination‘Kanemi’.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of P. thumbergianaplant named ‘Kanemi’, discovered as a sport in a controlled planting ofJapanese Black Pine in Nipomo, Calif. The sport parent is unknown. Thenew variety was discovered in approximately 2001 in a planted row ofJapanese Black Pine, all of the same age, when it was observed that oneof the plants was distinctively different, smaller in size and withshorter needles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the features which distinguish the new variety from otherpresently available and commercial Japanese Black Pine cultivars knownto the inventor are the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. Smaller size than same-aged members of other Japanese Black        Pine cultivars; after 1-2 years growth, plants of the new        variety have an average height of approximately 70 cm while        other Japanese Black Pine cultivars of the same age have an        average height of approximately 142 cm to 213 cm.    -   2. Smaller trunk diameter, with 1- to 2-year old plants of the        new variety having an average trunk diameter of approximately        1.6 cm while other Japanese Black Pine cultivars of the same age        have an average trunk diameter of approximately 3.5 cm to 5.7        cm.    -   3. Shorter needle length, with 1- to 2-year old plants of the        new variety having an average needle length of approximately        12.5 mm to 25 mm, while other Japanese Black Pine cultivars of        the same age have an average needle length of approximately 10        cm to 15.2 cm.

Asexual reproduction of the new variety ‘Kanemi’ by grafting on aregular Japanese Black Pine P. thumbergiana rootstock was performed inNipomo, Calif., and shows that the foregoing and other distinguishingcharacteristics come true to form and are established and transmittedthrough succeeding asexual propagations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a close-up of the new variety.

FIG. 2 shows the new variety growing along side commercially-availableJapanese Black Pine cultivars of the same age.

FIG. 3 shows the new variety grafted onto a commercially-availableJapanese Black Pine cultivar, illustrating the difference inneedle-length.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the new variety is based uponobservations taken of ten year old plants grown outdoors in fields inNipomo, Calif., with a range of day temperatures from 60° to 85° F., anda range of night temperatures from 30° to 55° F.

The following description is in accordance with UPOV terminology and thecolor terminology herein is in accordance with The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart (R.H.S.). The color descriptions and otherphenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values anddescriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal,climatic and cultural conditions.

-   Plant:    -   -   Shape.—Normal shape of the new variety is pyramidal, but is            typically pruned to become a bonsai. The tree has a long            leader at top and all branching is low, as shown in FIGS. 1            and 2.        -   Height.—About 70 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 22 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Slower than found in other Japanese Black Pine            varieties.-   Roots:    -   -   Time to initiate.—About 2 to 4 weeks.        -   Form.—Roots start out fine, becoming larger as plant grows.            New fine roots develop from older roots.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Trunk is about 18 mm at 25 mm from soil level            narrowing to 10 mm at 30 cm from soil level.        -   Texture.—Rough, slightly raised bark structure.        -   Color.—Greyed-green varying around Group 188B-D.-   Branches:    -   -   Habit.—Branches grow approximately 3 to 4 cm, then new            branch shoots form, radiating from the older branch.        -   Number.—Typically 10 lateral branches are observed (some are            pruned to provide the bonsai shape).        -   Length.—About 6 to 12 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 4 to 5 mm.        -   Internode length.—About 3 to 4 cm.        -   Color.—Greyed-green varying around Group 188B-D.-   Foliage:    -   -   Needle arrangement.—Two needles per sheath, as shown in FIG.            3.        -   Size.—Needle length varies from about 1 cm in new growth to            about 2 cm for needles aged one year or older.-   Cones: Cones form, but seeds have not yet been collected.    -   -   Dimensions.—Unopened cone is 20 mm long and 15 mm in            diameter.        -   Shape.—Ovoidal.        -   Color.—Greyed-orange varying around Group 164C-D.

1. A new and distinct variety of Pinus thumbergiana tree, identified as‘Kanemi’, substantially as shown and described.